What to do and where to go in Albuquerque

By Christie Chisholm and Laura Marrich

Every October, our streets flood with visitors while the skies swell with nylon orbs fueled by fire. The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is the largest hot-air balloon festival in the world. And while Fiesta activities are plentiful Oct. 3 through 11, there’s still ample time for exploring our fair city. To make sure you get the most out of your Southwest visit, the Alibi has interspersed this year's Balloon Fiesta schedule with other events you may want to add to your lineup. To narrow it down, we've chosen winners of this year's Best of Burque poll, the Alibi’s annual survey that asks readers about the best arts, shopping and nightlife Albuquerque has to offer. Also included are a few other events we just didn't think you should miss.

To find out about park-and-rides and other balloon-based information, visit the Fiesta's official website at balloonfiesta.com.

Whether you need the number for the nearest hospital or you just want to find out where to get a map of the city, call Albuquerque’s Citizen Contact Center at 311 and get all your questions answered for free. Plus, the customer service representatives are seriously friendly.